Getting the Investigation RIGHT!

Private investigations is a for profit business. Getting the investigation right is critical for private investigative firms to maintain their reputation, and gain additional business. Here are a few tips that seasoned private investigators shared to make sure they get every investigation right!

• "It's about finding the facts." - Not all investigations result in identifying a suspect, wrong-doer, or locating missing property. This investigator is correct, that any investigation must focus on finding the facts even when they don't lead to identifying a suspect. He says, "Some cases I investigate find there is no crime or wrong doing on the part of an employee. Having the facts to support any conclusion an investigation reaches is critical for that reason."
• "Keep the investigation simple and real." - She says, "Some of my clients think their investigation is complicated and that I will be kicking in doors, chasing suspects. I've learned that investigations are often straight-forward and I keep them simple by working small portions of the investigation at a time." Keeping any investigation simple is important for obtaining the facts and keeping the investigation focused on answering the questions asked by the client. 
  
• "Chase the leads."  - Primarily talking about missing person cases, this investigator shared, "I follow any and all leads I receive. Often there are leads that are not credible, but I check them anyway. I limit my follow-ups based on the credibility of the lead and resources available to my client. Sometimes that one lead that does not appear to be realistic ends up being the solution to the case." 
  
• "Develop an investigative plan." - From an investigator with over 20 years experience. "When I started out I often rushed in to the investigation without any planning, focusing on the suspect of the investigation. I wasted a lot of time. Pro PI Academy taught me to develop an investigative plan using various techniques such as mind-mapping. I spend an hour planning every investigation I receive, no matter how simple. It helps me complete a thorough investigation, it saves me time. When I'm done I know I've done all that I can do." 
  
• "Stay focused on the investigative scope." - "I remind myself that I work for the client, finding answers to their questions. Any investigation can result in new information about other problems, but I focus my efforts on the scope I agreed upon with my client. That's what I get paid for." 
  

Getting any investigation right takes a lot of skill, planning, preparation and then proper execution.